Clinical Research Director Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Clinical Research Directors typically qualify for H-1B visa or O-1 visa sponsorship, as the role requires an advanced degree in life sciences, medicine, or a related field, meeting USCIS specialty occupation standards. Most sponsors are pharmaceutical companies, CROs, and academic medical centers. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsThe Jameel Arts and Health Lab (the Lab), housed in the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, seeks a Part-Time Researcher for the Artistic Justice Initiative, a program focusing on the integration and evaluation of arts interventions in prisons and justice-affected communities.
The Part-Time Researcher will work under the direction of Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Founding Co-Director of the Lab, and will serve as the primary coordinator for the Artistic Justice Initiative. This is a part-time position of 18 hours per week, and requires in-person presence in New York City. The position is expected to begin in early November 2026 and last through June 30, 2027.
Key responsibilities include:
- Contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Artistic Justice Initiative's arts-based programs.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for scheduling and coordinating all program and research activities, including workshop cycles, programming calendars, staff training, artistic showcases, and documentation activities.
- Collaborate with Dr. Sajnani on participant recruitment and cohort development efforts, including managing outreach and orientation materials, coordinating application and interview processes, and maintaining adherence to institutional and IRB-approved protocols where applicable.
- Contribute to the collection, organization, and quality assurance of quantitative and qualitative data, including participant surveys, interviews, observational data, and creative outputs, applying standardized procedures to maintain data integrity.
- Analyze data across behavioral, psychosocial, and program evaluation datasets using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
- Collaborate on the development of manuscripts for publication, and support the dissemination of findings through public-facing channels.
- Support the ongoing refinement and expansion of arts and health programming within correctional settings by contributing to strategic planning, program innovation, and evidence-building efforts.
The Part-Time Researcher will have opportunities to contribute to conference presentations, publications, and a broad range of interdisciplinary activities through the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, New York University, and the Artistic Justice Initiative's national and international partnerships.
In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the hourly pay range for this position is $60.00-$64.00. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree required, Ph.D. preferred, in Creative Arts Therapies, Criminal Justice, Arts in Health, Arts Administration, Education or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience working on interdisciplinary research teams, preferably within arts and health, criminal legal systems, public health, community-based research, or creative arts therapies.
- Minimum of ten years of experience working with incarcerated people and correctional staff in prisons, jails or other correctional spaces.
- Experience coordinating complex, multi-site projects involving diverse stakeholders, including artists, researchers, community organizations, and institutional partners.
- Strong organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and timelines.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with both specialized and general audiences.
- Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis preferred.
- Ability to work independently while fostering collaborative relationships across interdisciplinary teams and institutional settings.
Please apply via Interfolio by uploading: (a) CV or resume; (b) cover letter clearly detailing how you meet the above qualifications and why you are interested in the position; and (c) names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references. The review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
For people in the EU, click here for information on your privacy rights under GDPR: www.nyu.edu/it/gdpr
NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
Sustainability Statement
NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability
The Jameel Arts and Health Lab (the Lab), housed in the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, seeks a Part-Time Researcher for the Artistic Justice Initiative, a program focusing on the integration and evaluation of arts interventions in prisons and justice-affected communities.
The Part-Time Researcher will work under the direction of Dr. Nisha Sajnani, Founding Co-Director of the Lab, and will serve as the primary coordinator for the Artistic Justice Initiative. This is a part-time position of 18 hours per week, and requires in-person presence in New York City. The position is expected to begin in early November 2026 and last through June 30, 2027.
Key responsibilities include:
- Contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Artistic Justice Initiative's arts-based programs.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for scheduling and coordinating all program and research activities, including workshop cycles, programming calendars, staff training, artistic showcases, and documentation activities.
- Collaborate with Dr. Sajnani on participant recruitment and cohort development efforts, including managing outreach and orientation materials, coordinating application and interview processes, and maintaining adherence to institutional and IRB-approved protocols where applicable.
- Contribute to the collection, organization, and quality assurance of quantitative and qualitative data, including participant surveys, interviews, observational data, and creative outputs, applying standardized procedures to maintain data integrity.
- Analyze data across behavioral, psychosocial, and program evaluation datasets using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
- Collaborate on the development of manuscripts for publication, and support the dissemination of findings through public-facing channels.
- Support the ongoing refinement and expansion of arts and health programming within correctional settings by contributing to strategic planning, program innovation, and evidence-building efforts.
The Part-Time Researcher will have opportunities to contribute to conference presentations, publications, and a broad range of interdisciplinary activities through the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, New York University, and the Artistic Justice Initiative's national and international partnerships.
In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the hourly pay range for this position is $60.00-$64.00. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's degree required, Ph.D. preferred, in Creative Arts Therapies, Criminal Justice, Arts in Health, Arts Administration, Education or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of experience working on interdisciplinary research teams, preferably within arts and health, criminal legal systems, public health, community-based research, or creative arts therapies.
- Minimum of ten years of experience working with incarcerated people and correctional staff in prisons, jails or other correctional spaces.
- Experience coordinating complex, multi-site projects involving diverse stakeholders, including artists, researchers, community organizations, and institutional partners.
- Strong organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and timelines.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with both specialized and general audiences.
- Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis preferred.
- Ability to work independently while fostering collaborative relationships across interdisciplinary teams and institutional settings.
Please apply via Interfolio by uploading: (a) CV or resume; (b) cover letter clearly detailing how you meet the above qualifications and why you are interested in the position; and (c) names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references. The review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
For people in the EU, click here for information on your privacy rights under GDPR: www.nyu.edu/it/gdpr
NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
Sustainability Statement
NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/sustainability
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Clinical Research Director Jobs
Target pharmaceutical companies and CROs first
Large pharma firms like Pfizer, Merck, and AstraZeneca, along with contract research organizations, sponsor Clinical Research Directors regularly and have established immigration infrastructure to process H-1B and O-1 visa petitions efficiently.
Lead with your IND and NDA experience
Employers prioritize candidates who have overseen FDA submission processes. Highlighting experience managing Investigational New Drug applications or New Drug Applications signals the level of seniority that justifies visa sponsorship for a director-level role.
An advanced degree strengthens your specialty occupation case
A master's or doctoral degree in clinical pharmacology, biostatistics, or a related field directly supports USCIS specialty occupation requirements. USCIS scrutinizes director-level clinical roles, so degree-to-role alignment is more important than for individual contributor positions.
O-1A is a realistic alternative if you have publications or leadership recognition
Clinical Research Directors with peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or roles leading multi-site Phase III trials often meet O-1A extraordinary ability criteria. This path bypasses the H-1B lottery entirely and is worth evaluating with an immigration attorney.
Expect your employer to need an LCA before you can start
Your sponsoring employer must file a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor certifying the role meets prevailing wage requirements before petitioning USCIS. Factor three to four weeks for LCA certification into your start date negotiations.
Academic medical centers offer sponsorship with stronger green card pathways
Universities and hospital research centers frequently sponsor Clinical Research Directors and often support EB-1 or EB-2 NIW green card petitions for candidates with strong research records, which can reduce long-term immigration timelines significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Research Director role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, Clinical Research Director consistently qualifies as an H-1B visa specialty occupation because the role requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as life sciences, medicine, or biostatistics. Most employers require a master's or doctoral degree, which strengthens the specialty occupation case further. USCIS approves H-1B petitions for this title at high rates when the degree-to-role connection is well-documented.
How competitive is the H-1B lottery for Clinical Research Directors?
The H-1B general lottery selects roughly 20 to 25 percent of registrations in recent years, which applies to Clinical Research Directors unless their employer qualifies as a cap-exempt institution. Academic medical centers, nonprofit research organizations, and government research facilities are often cap-exempt, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without entering the lottery. If you're targeting those employers, your odds improve substantially.
What degree does a Clinical Research Director need to get visa sponsorship?
Most sponsoring employers require a master's or doctoral degree in a clinical, scientific, or health-related field. A medical degree (MD or equivalent) also satisfies the requirement. A bachelor's degree may be sufficient at some organizations, but director-level roles typically demand graduate credentials, and a stronger degree makes USCIS approval more straightforward. Degrees in clinical pharmacology, medicine, nursing, biostatistics, or public health are the most commonly accepted.
Can a Clinical Research Director qualify for an O-1A visa?
Yes, and it's worth exploring seriously for this role. O-1A requires demonstrating extraordinary ability through criteria like peer-reviewed publications, original research contributions, high salary relative to peers, or judging others' work in the field. Clinical Research Directors who have led pivotal trials, authored published studies, or served on IRBs or FDA advisory panels often meet three or more criteria. O-1A has no lottery and no annual cap.
Where can I find Clinical Research Director jobs that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists Clinical Research Director roles specifically filtered for visa sponsorship, so you're not manually sorting through postings that won't work for your situation. Pharmaceutical companies, CROs, academic medical centers, and biotech firms are the primary sponsors for this title. Filtering by employer type on Migrate Mate can help you prioritize organizations with established immigration programs.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Clinical Research Director jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.